NOW APPROACHING ITS FOURTH BIRTHDAY, TOYOTA'S FOURTH-GENERATION 2016 RAV4 GETS A 'NIP-AND-TUCK' FOR THE NEW YEAR.

Now standard are LED headlights and new tail-lights, while the interior ditches horrible fake carbonfibre for a classier metallic-grey garnish.

While the changes appear minor, Toyota claims major surgery has occurred beneath the fresh façade. The rear body of the Toyota RAV4 is now stiffer, the suspension overhauled to improve ride comfort and extra sound insulation has been installed.

These were all RAV4 sore points. We're driving it to see if the changes have worked for this popular model from Toyota.

OVERVIEW

The new RAV4 line-up kicks off from $27,990 (plus on-road costs) for the two-wheel-drive 2.0-litre petrol manual, rising to $32,990 (plus orc) for the all-wheel-drive 2.5-litre petrol automatic and $35,990 (plus orc) for the also-AWD 2.2-litre turbo-diesel manual.

Those prices are for the base GX model-grades (GXL and top-tier Cruiser versions come at a premium - see full price list, link below).

In the case of the petrol Cruiser we’re testing here, pricing has dropped $500 to $44,490 (plus orc).

Despite the price drop, it now comes with substantially more equipment included as standard, including active cruise control, front parking sensors and pre-collision warning with autonomous braking function.

Buyers of SUVs reportedly love a high driving position. The Toyota RAV4 however boasts a snug, sporting seating point that adds a 'driver's feel' to the interior.

Up-front visibility is excellent, however, and the subtle interior styling changes – new grey trim, colour screen between the speedometer and tachometer – gives a real lift to the impression of quality.

The touchscreen however remains smaller than class average, though the sat-nav is straightforward to use and the JBL speaker quality outstanding.

The only downside is that included app connectivity, such as Pandora internet music streaming, first requires users to download a ToyotaLink app.

Other competitors, such as the Mazda CX-5, can simply ‘plug and play’ with a USB cord to any phone with Pandora installed.

Function otherwise still rates ahead of form inside the RAV4. Headroom is plentiful for all occupants, while rear legroom is vast.

Disappointingly, there are no rear air-vents (standard in Hyundai Tucson Highlander, but not CX-5) and the back bench itself is flat, failing to match the snug support of the front buckets. The highlight however is the reclining rear backrest.

At the pull of a lever, the whole rear seat also effortlessly folds into the floor to create a near-flat loading space.

The RAV4 already boasts one of the largest and most usable boots in the class, and dropping the rear seats only further extends its lead.

Leather trim quality is only average, although the inclusion of an electrically adjustable driver’s seat – though not for the passenger – and sunroof, certainly help cement the Cruiser’s luxury-specification appeal. There’s plenty of storage space and many gadgets to play with.

Improved, certainly, but this facelifted RAV4 still doesn’t have the classiest interior in the class.

It does however boast one of the most generously-appointed cabins for the money and continues to deliver more sheer space than most rivals. We'd expect medium SUV buyers to be very happy with that trade-off.

ON THE ROAD

Engine: 132kW/233Nm 2.5 4cyl naturally-aspirated petrol

Transmission: six-speed automatic, part-time all-wheel-drive

Suspension: MacPherson strut front, independent rear

Brakes: ventilated front and solid rear discs

Steering: electrically assisted, 11.2m turning circle

Towing capacity: 750kg (unbraked), 1500kg (braked)

It’s as simple as this: the facelifted Toyota RAV4 is substantially better to drive than the model that has been in showrooms since 2012.

The 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine is unchanged. It remains however an honest toiler with a surprisingly meaty power delivery when the accelerator is given a solid prod.

It is also now far quieter than before; where the previous model could sound a little raucous when being worked, engine noise is now nicely distant.

The six-speed automatic however still works the engine hard, dropping gears quickly on hills and holding revs high (so the extra sound deadening is especially appreciated).

The 132kW and 223Nm under the bonnet can keep the RAV4 at the head of traffic, and provides quite reasonable urge when overtaking, but there is a penalty at the bowser thanks to its portly 1600kg.

In mixed driving conditions this Toyota slurped 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres, 2.0 l/100km more than the combined cycle claim.

The previous model RAV4 had a ‘butch’ feel to its driving dynamics (a bit like its blocky, sturdy dashboard) - the steering was too heavy and ride quality too firm.

Toyota has now eased the steering weighting, making the Cruiser an easier 'cruiser’ through city streets.

It is better, but not perfect, with a vague pillowy on-centre patch the main downside.

Ride comfort is substantially improved. There’s still some juddery behaviour over successive minor road imperfections, but a newfound ability to cushion really big hits from potholes and broken tarmac is particularly impressive.

The highlight, though, has to be that the RAV4 no longer shudders through the rear of the cabin over sizeable bumps.

The RAV4 isn’t as plush as a Tucson, nor as dynamic as the CX-5, but, on-road, this new version strikes a neat middle ground.

RIVALS TO CONSIDER

The RAV4 Cruiser has gone from being one of the least well-equipped cars in the class to being one of the most generously appointed. No rival can match Toyota’s capped price servicing plan, either – at just $180 for the first six services.

TMR VERDICT | OVERALL

The facelifted Toyota RAV4 is quietly impressive in flagship Cruiser specification. As a side note, we wouldn’t bother spending another $5000 on the underpowered diesel version, particularly now that this petrol engine is so refined.

For a smidge under $45K, the RAV4 Cruiser now offers plenty of cabin and active safety equipment, a responsive powertrain and pleasant driving manners.

It doesn’t quite hit particular high notes of its fierce rivals (Forester for value, Tucson for comfort and CX-5 for sportiness), but it instead delivers newfound consistency.

TMR Comments

Nick Car | 14 Jan 2016 03:35

Great to see that Toyota has provided much better value and refinement with this update (I like the updated exterior). The competition is very tough and they have realised that the Toyota brand name can only take one so far in the SUV game.
The safety equipment that they have provided to the Cruiser is very impressive and for a reduced price.
If Toyota were able to have the 2.0 turbo engine from Lexus in the RAV4 and charge an extra $5,000 that would be fantastic.
As noted in the review, the diesel for the additional $5,000 does not represent value, especially considering it has very poor towing capabilities.
The luggage storage is a real plus for the RAV4 over the Mazda CX-5.
With this update it will be interesting how the sales go in 2016 compared to the Mazda CX-5 which is head'n'shoulders about the others in sales.

JT | 14 Jan 2016 13:50

If the outside looked like this when it first landed, I would have seriously considered it. As its an update and not a full new model it's still leaves some styling behind id still want in a SUV- the dash looks dated due to small size screen and the temperature reader doesn't improve the look. Not updating to electric hand brake also let it down. Maybe the next one will bring more to the table.

Mike | 15 Jan 2016 03:15

Just bought the diesel GXL for my wife and it's fantastic, love the space, the look, the fuel efficiency and the ride.

Jordan | 17 Jan 2016 12:45

Well I was pleasantly surprised with the rav4, hired one for about a month in NZ brand new GXL only 8kms on it! Very well equipped more features in the NZ models. I actually liked the look too. Had plenty of grunt for the overtaking lanes & twisting hilly roads really good grip also felt sporty for a SUV. Took it off-road shhh don't tell the rental company B-/ took it up some dirt hills wheels spinned abit so locked it in AWD and it powered up them easy! Used the hill descent control that was very good also. It's a real cruiser on the open roads. Interior the sound from the speakers weren't that great the plastics scuffed easily and the a\c wasn't all that cold for a brand new car. Fuel economy was good too. So overall a very good vehicle awesome holiday too :D Also lucky because I could've gotten the "similar" Outlander phew that CVT would've been a mess.